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Sunday, 31 January 2016

I'd like to thank everyone who sends me such kind comments about this blog - they are much appreciated! Today I publish one from Andrew, who is related to both the Fawcetts of Crathorne and the Honeymans of Hutton Rudby.

On 27 January 2013 I told the story of William Orton of Hutton Rudby, who was found guilty at the York Assizes in March 1821 of forging and passing a counterfeit banknote and was sentenced to be transported to New South Wales.

Geoff Royle, his descendant, followed up the trail and within a very short time reported to this blog (see "William Orton of Hutton Rudby and New South Wales") that William had gained an excellent character in the first 24 years of his time in Australia but in 1845 at the age of 67 had been caught out once again in a matter of forgery and been sentenced to two years in Parramatta Gaol.

Geoff has now discovered that William's first years in New South Wales were not without incident. He tells me (and you can find more details of the family on his website)

1829 Dec/1830 Jun In more hot water! In June 1830 he had a "ticket of leave" cancelled as he was found guilty at Paterson Plains, NSW, of receiving stolen property.

For reference : A "ticket of leave" allowed convicts to work for themselves on condition that they remained in a specified area, reported regularly to local authorities, and if at all possible, attend divine worship every Sunday.